The individual and organizational costs of workplace harassment are enormous. While sexual harassment has commanded much of the media’s attention, inappropriate and illegal behavior at work goes far beyond gender issues. In most workplaces it’s all too common to find employees who have been personally touched by the intimidation and discomfort of workplace harassment - as observers, targets or as one of those accused of harassing others.

Despite the dark picture harassment can create, there is good news for organizations and employees. If we work together, we can stop harassment.

To accomplish this will take a united effort by all those affected by harassment at work. This includes the offenders, those they offend, observers of the behavior, and organizational leaders.

What distinguishes You Can STOP Harassment is its positive message. The programs in this series are not about pointing fingers and assigning blame. We all share responsibility for stopping workplace harassment. It isn’t easy work. The reasons for harassment are many and the roots run deep. Working together, however, we can make great progress toward creating workplaces where people feel safe, valued and free to do their best work.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE:You Can STOP Harassment is intended to encourage employees, supervisors, team leaders and managers in public and private sector organizations to take responsibility to help end all forms of harassment in their workplaces.

Program 1: Taking Responsibility

Key Learning Points:

what illegal harassment is and its impact at work

the need to support our co-workers in facing up to harassment

how to confront harassment to make it stop

how to defuse disrespectful or harassing situations

that not all harassment is intentional

that it’s the impact of our behavior that counts, not our intentions

the importance of setting appropriate boundaries

Program 2: The Responsible Leader

Key Learning Points:

the importance of modeling appropriate behavior

the liabilities managers and organizations face

how to handle a harassment complaint

the danger of retaliation

We recommend supervisors and managers view both programs in the series.

PROGRAM CONTENTS:You Can STOP Harassment is comprised of short dramatizations that explore harassment issues that are common within organizations. Each scenario is analyzed by a diverse group of legal, human resources and communications experts. These practitioners discuss the significance of the dramatization and suggest guidelines when encountering a similar situation. Several scenarios are "rewound" and played again, modeling appropriate, respectful communication.

Program 1 Scenarios (26 minutes):

1st Scenario: Sexual & gender harassment

2nd Scenario: Racial harassment

3rd Scenario: Sexual orientation harassment

4th Scenario: Religious harassment & retaliation

Program 2 Scenarios (25 minutes):

1st Scenario: Racial & sexual harassment

2nd Scenario: Ethnic & religious harassment

3rd Scenario: Same sex harassment

Support Materials:

You Can STOP Harassment comes with a comprehensive Facilitator's Guide which includes reproducible handouts for each program. The programs are also available for individual purchase/rental.

This program can help California employers meet the requirements of state law AB 1825